“The Great Beauty” screens at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Chinese 4 and again at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Egyptian Theatre.

Paolo Sorrentino was not kidding when he named his movie “The Great Beauty” (screens at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and again at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14). This ravishing, Capital A Italian art film takes full advantage of the varied, gorgeous backgrounds that Rome has to offer, then takes even more advantage with lusciously languid camera moves that enable one to soak in every classical design and character crack of age.

The same goes for leading man Toni Servillo’s face. He plays Jep, an old journalist who still loves la dolce vita and lives it with gusto, but who’s nagging need to locate a point to it all is starting to take over. Servillo’s creased but canny countenance also served director Sorrentino well in the political machinations epic “Il divo.” Here, it’s a well-worn road map to pleasure, and what hopefully might lie beyond.

The comparisons to Fellini have been plentiful, but “The Great Beauty” is very much its own thing. It’s quite cynical in places — yes, sometimes even biting — but the film is infused with a distinct love for art, passion and the mysterious quality that draws us to beauty as it does to breath.

Check back for updates from AFI Fest and more reviews by Los Angeles News Group reporter Bob Strauss.